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[2PAK]

After two years of on again, off again PT and babying my previous disclocated right knee I'm headed for the surgeon to have him scope the knee, repair some of the damage and generally clean up the some of the mess in there.  This will help getting on/off the bike and relieve some the pain from the sharp edges I still have as a result of the tears.  He advised the procedure wont be a 100% cure and that I'll forever have to deal with the arthritis in the knee but its worth it even if for 50% improvement.

I have no clue how long I'll be flat off my feet after the surgery or on crutches or using a cane.  I'm more concerned about not riding my bike in the last vestiges of Seattle's fall.   In the spirit of Dr. House, I was given an ample supply of Oxycotin to self medicate    I also plan on taking a week of sick leave so I can properly self medicate without regard to having discussions with my peers/manager and saying something I'll regret in an Oxy fog..

Anyone had this done and know how long you are off your feet, then to crutches?  In the meantime, since I am single I need to hire a nurse for a sponge bath twice a day since I wont be able to shower for a few days   

[Fired00d]

I've had me knee 'scoped twice, and one hip replacement. You'll be surprised how quick you'll be back on your feet. You'll leave the hospital on crutches, and have to take it easy for a few days, but it will not take that long to be walking w/a cane then nothing at all. My last surgery was the hip replacement and I was walking w/a cane after two weeks. Just remember to do the physical therapy as much as they tell you to that's the key to a successful recovery.

Good luck.

BTW - you will be bothered w/some arthritis, but it's bearable (at least for me).

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[FLYNDYNA]

2PAC,

I will definitely put you on my prayer list for a speedy recovery...nothing worse than laying around unable to do what you want. Like FiredOOd said, do the PT as often as possible, that was key to getting me up & around...best of luck bro'!

Flyndyna

[2PAK]

Thanks Fire and Fly!

[bunt]

I'm going in Dec. 1st to have my left knee scoped for the the thid time, I've been up and walking same day, feeling back to normal (if that's possible) in no time.
Good luck.

[2PAK]

Bunt,
Cool. I'm going to ride one last time this week, wash the bike and leave it up on the lift so I can fart around with it (detail it) while recovering.  Cheers,

[icybay]

I had a ACL replacement by Dr.Steve Bramwell (Husky team physician) over in Kirkland and I had a 110% recovery, can't even remember which knee it was. Now if you know a great rotator cuff  Doc.....

[LRebel]

2Pak,

I had scope surgery on both of my knees (at the same time) about six years ago.  I had a torn ACL in the left knee and bad cartilage damage in the right.  Had been dealing with the right knee for several years.  When I tore the ACL in the left knee playing Wally Ball, there was no more trying to deal with the problem. (for those that don't know what wally ball is: the best way do describe it is, Kamikaze Volley Ball - played in a racket ball court).

Went to the doc and he said that I might as well have both done while I was out.  It was no big deal.  Surgery on a Monday and walked from the car to the house when I got home Monday evening - back to the doc Tuesday to have drain tubes removed from both knees - off crutches and started PT on Wednesday - also went back to my office for a couple of hours on Wednesday. 

The next week went back to the doc to have stitches removed and told him that the PT was a waste of my time - Doc said it was ok not to go back to PT and I did all my own PT - probably more intense than what would have cost $$$$$ (Ok, I'm hard-headed and I was intent on getting my knees back as good as they could possibly be - for most folks, the PT is probably the best way to go)

Anyway, your doc is right..... It is not a 100% fix.  It was well worth is for me.  I'm back running and playing Wally Ball (just not as intense as I once did).

I was off my bike for about a month... the hard part was getting on and off.  If you are concerned about missing the great fall riding, you will probably want to postpone the surgery for a month or so... or just be resigned to the fact the you are going to miss the fall riding, but be ready for the spring.

Note:  I only took three pain pills during the first two days.  After that I used ibuprofen and ice for pain control.  Make sure your doc sets you up with an ice machine - small ice chest with a pump that circulates ice water through a bladder on your knee.... real life saver!

[2PAK]

LREBEL,
You are the man, a two-fer on the knees and then off the pain meds after two days!    Maybe I could save the pain meds and take one pill each month after I write the monthly check to pay the ex's credit card debt

I hadnt heard of the Ice Machine, I'm going to be asking for that!!!  A great idea.

[grc]

2PAK,

Today's minimally invasive knee surgery techniques have drastically reduced "down time".  I spent many years dealing with the pain of major meniscus damage and resulting bone damage because I didn't want to take the time to get it repaired.  When I could no longer stand the pain (and the falls when the knee "caught" at an inopportune time), I made the decision to have the surgery.  All I can tell you is that I kicked myself in the a$$ for the following year for putting it off so long.  In my case, the pain relief was immediate and I didn't need anything stronger than a little Tylenol for a couple days.  It took several days for the swelling to subside (they pumped fluid into the joint during the surgery), and after a week I started physical therapy.  I felt well enough to return to work after 3 weeks, but the doctor insisted on 6 weeks minimum.  I threw the crutches in the corner of the basement after the first week.

One thing I did find about living with this kind of thing too long is that when you limp or compensate in some way you throw your body out of balance.  When the doctor tested my leg strength after the surgery, he found the damaged leg had only 50% of the strength of the other leg.  If you have had your condition for any length of time, be prepared to find the same thing.  It is one of the things that your doctor should address with your rehab/PT program and ongoing exercise program.

Good luck.

Jerry

[2PAK]

Jerry,
Good points and thanks.  I have compensated with the good left leg and noted that I'm not completely walking correctly as I should be.  If I take a brisk walk on the treadmill, the Meniscus flares up and I cant do any sustanied walking for a week after that. 

Getting on and off the bike and torqing the right knee as I do so is also a non-starter so I must be more than careful each time I do it.  Then there is fly fishing.  Here in the Puget Sound we have many good rivers to fish in all year round (Steelhead in the winter for example).  Although, I can take a staff into the river with me and wear felt lined soles on my fishing boots, it's still a crap shoot whether or not I might slip on a mossy rock and disclocate the knee or twist it while I am walking out in the river itself.  I'd be in a world of Chit so I havent done it in two years which is a shame.

In any case, its been two years and its time to repair what can be repaired.

[GregKhougaz]

2Pak, arthroscopies are easy today.  I've been busted up and number of times.  Three major surgeries on the left and no ACL on the right knee.  Lost both ACL's years ago (ski racing).  A year ago Jan., I was hit by an idiot crossing a ski race course.  Split the left tibia in half... lengthwise, which split the meniscus in half as well.  After five surgeries, (mostly due to infected metal in the leg), I'm 99% fine but I work at it nearly every day.  Played two hours of tennis last night.  I still ski / race without a brace

Your "down time" should be minimal but depends on your age, fitness, attitude and surgical procedure you have to endure.  I'm 51 and there is no substitute for fitness.  Weight training for your knees is imperative.  You'll get some in PT but they are not trying to get you in shape, just not to hurt you.  You have to tell the therapist what you what.  If you really want to come "back," get strong.  Your muscles can compensate for allot.  You have to know your body.  You should be able to tell the difference between pain you should work through and that which is causing damage.  

Try to stay off the oxy and the like.  Very addictive and you won't like it when you stop.  Ice and advil work great.  Take advil before your exercise.  When you hurt... move the knee!  Get the blood going.  As soon as the Doc allows, get on a life cycle (not a bike, don't risk the fall until your knee can withstand one).  Mostly, don't give up!  Good luck.  

Greg

[2PAK]

Greg,
Thanks for that excellent and positive advice.   

[sportygordy]

I've had my left knee scoped twice, last one about 8 years ago. I now have severe arthritis and it tends to give out at unpredictable moments. I'm seeing Dr. Jungas in Sacramento and going through the hoops to get a total knee replacement. My last two surgery's were to repair torn meniscus. Neither did little to relive the pain, if fact it just made the knee probelm worse and sometimes unbearable. I've heard as many people with success stories as I've heard that didint. If your pain level makes your life miserable then I think surgery is worth a try. I hope the surgery is a success for you and one thing,, BE CAREFULL WITH THOSE PAIN MEDS.. As you know Oxy is highly addictive.

[elvislee]

Had each of my hips replaced. Recovery time depends on your state of mind, overall physical health, age, etc. Do the physical therapy for sure and hire a nurse that will motivate ya  ...Also watch those Oxy's. The doc gave me some; went home on a Fri afternoon and didn't take one that night. Got up Saturday morning and the hip hurt like hell. Popped one of those bad boys about 9 am and a few minutes later went out like a light; I mean comatose, damn near dead i think. I'm single too and my grandkids tried to wake me up and they couldn't get me to budge so my oldest called my neighbor and she took them to her house and left me laying on the couch like a sack of taters. She came back at 7 pm that night and finally got me to wake up. Man, I was dribbling and drooling like a rabid dog; drool was in my beard, all over my pillow and couch, I was soaking wet. I called the doc up and told him what happened; after he got done laughing his ass off, he had me bring those babies in and trade them in for some Loritabs; at least with those I was coherent...I'm telling ya; be carefull with those damn things.

Both replacements were worth all the time and effort needed to have things work out well. My hips will never be like they were when they were completely healthy in their natural state The surgery itself should relieve much of if not most of the pain you had once your rehabbed. I still have arthritis and they still hurt at times, hell many times; but not nearly as bad....Hope it all works for ya and keep us up on your progress